School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Visionaries, Warmongers and Protesters: American Political History Through Film (1950-1975)
  • Unit Code

    POL3133
  • Year

    2017
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Genevieve Ruth HOHNEN

Description

The United States of America from 1950-1975 was a nation divided, racked by conflicts over anti-communism, the Vietnam War, and how to resolve deep-seated racial and social tensions. It was also a period of promising but flawed political leadership. Focusing on the presidencies of Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon, the unit examines key political issues in US politics including the anti-communist purges of the 1950's, the Vietnam War and its opponents, the race riots of the late 1960's, the Civil Rights and Great Society reforms of the Johnson Administration. This knowledge is then contrasted with an analysis of selected film and documentary to pose the question: how well are political issues covered through this medium? Utilising research and film analysis in this reinforcing way is designed to create a critical analysis of one of the most controversial periods in modern political history.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded POL3134

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Analyse the content and construct of politically-based film and documentary.
  2. Apply an understanding of American political institutions to resolution of public policy issues.
  3. Critically evaluate the impacts of the Cold War.
  4. Evaluate the criteria for successful political leadership.
  5. Understand the causes and consequences of political conflicts.

Unit Content

  1. Civil Rights and Race Riots of the 1960's.
  2. McCarthyism and American Politics.
  3. President Johnsons Great Society Reforms.
  4. President Nixon and the Watergate Scandal.
  5. The Cold War and President Kennedys administration.
  6. Vietnam and political protests.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials, film and documentaries.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
ExaminationExamination 50%
PortfolioPortfolio50%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

POL3133|2|1

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Visionaries, Warmongers and Protesters: American Political History Through Film (1950-1975)
  • Unit Code

    POL3133
  • Year

    2017
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    2
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
  • Unit Coordinator

    Dr Genevieve Ruth HOHNEN

Description

The United States of America from 1950-1975 was a nation divided, racked by conflicts over anti-communism, the Vietnam War, and how to resolve deep-seated racial and social tensions. It was also a period of promising but flawed political leadership. Focusing on the presidencies of Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon, the unit examines key political issues in US politics including the anti-communist purges of the 1950's, the Vietnam War and its opponents, the race riots of the late 1960's, the Civil Rights and Great Society reforms of the Johnson Administration. This knowledge is then contrasted with an analysis of selected film and documentary to pose the question: how well are political issues covered through this medium? Utilising research and film analysis in this reinforcing way is designed to create a critical analysis of one of the most controversial periods in modern political history.

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded POL3134

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Analyse the content and construct of politically-based film and documentary.
  2. Apply an understanding of American political institutions to resolution of public policy issues.
  3. Critically evaluate the impacts of the Cold War.
  4. Evaluate the criteria for successful political leadership.
  5. Understand the causes and consequences of political conflicts.

Unit Content

  1. Civil Rights and Race Riots of the 1960's.
  2. McCarthyism and American Politics.
  3. President Johnsons Great Society Reforms.
  4. President Nixon and the Watergate Scandal.
  5. The Cold War and President Kennedys administration.
  6. Vietnam and political protests.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials, film and documentaries.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
ExaminationExamination 50%
PortfolioPortfolio50%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

POL3133|2|2